ANTIPOLO – NLEX coach Jimmy Alapag took the blame for the team’s failure to keep its 20-point lead against powerhouse San Miguel at the close of the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup elimination round.
The Road Warriors squandered what looked like a safe 116-96 lead early in the fourth but their opponent showed their championship pedigree and were outscored by the Beermen, 39-21.
NLEX won, 135-133, after George King scored a lay-up with 5.2 seconds left that was ruled a basket interference as Robert Bolick hung in the net while the ball was still in play.
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READ: San Miguel beats NLEX after great comeback from 20-point deficit
NLEX kept the No. 1 seed in Group A even with a similar 9-3 win-loss record against San Miguel due to a +12 point differential. Still, Alapag preferred to have the victory heading into the quarterfinals where they will face the No. 4 ranked squad in Group B.
“I’m really proud of our guys,” said Alapag. “I have to do a better job for our guys. I got to do a better job especially in the fourth quarter in a game like that.”
“I thought we may have gotten a little tired down the stretch. Some of the shots that we made early in the game didn’t go down. But I put that on me.”
Alapag also deflected the blame on Bolick’s mistake.
“I still put it on me. I have to do a better job for us. I don’t think the game was won or lost on that single play. I just think that I could have put our guys in a better position to win the game offensively and defensively,” Alapag said.
Despite the collapse, Alapag remains proud of the team’s effort entering the quarterfinals where they will face the No. 4 seed in Group B still to be determined.
“I thought we competed at a high level to win the game. But at the same time, you have to tip your cap to San Miguel. They are a champion team for a reason,” said Alapag.
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